Vice-President calls on youth to fight evil

Coimbatore: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday called on the country’s youths to come forward and fight corruption, illiteracy, separatism, poverty, and social and gender discrimination that have infected the society at different levels. He was at Isha Yoga Centre to attend the Maha Shivratri celebrations.
“I call on the youths to fight today’s evil and take both the nation and globe on the path of prosperity, peace and harmony,” he said.
Putting emphasis on the importance of unity among the people, Naidu said, “We may speak different languages and practice different faith. We may have different costumes as well. However, all of us are culturally one, irrespective of caste, creed, sex and religion. India is one and that feeling has to be present in everyone.”
He said it was important to preserve the Indian culture and civilization and pass them on to the future generations. “For this, festivals like Maha Shivratri is important as it will help the youth imbibe the age-old cultural values.”
Citing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) report, Naidu said India has the highest suicide rate in southeast region and that was the second leading cause of death. More than prosperity, he said, what the world needed today was happiness and peace, which only could eradicate evil.
Naidu also used the occasion to promote yoga. “For us, yoga is not a belief but a technology to transform self. It is an art and science that brings calmness and peace. It is not a political activity and it should not be seen through political prism. Everyone should practice and promote yoga for our betterment.”
Expressing happiness over prime minister Narendra Modi’s move to take up yoga with the United Nations (UN), he said the UN has recognized yoga and approved it worldwide.